Chapelwood UMC Global Missions: Our mission together--Haiti 2012

The Chapelwood Haiti mission team returned late Saturday, July 14th after eight powerful days in partnership with HAPI (Haitian Artisans for Peace International). The primary focus of the mission was joining with HAPI's clinic to host a dental clinic and working with the women artisans to sharpen their skills in sewing and encourage the connection between art and spirituality.

Team arriving in Port Au Prince

Dental clinic:
In 4 days, we saw 132 patients and extracted 329 teeth. Our average patient was 34 years old and wanted 2 teeth extracted. The three dentists were supported by eight members of the team each day--as dental assistants, in-take volunteers and sterilization specialists :)

Dr Ron Rhea and his wife Kay assisting.

Dr Sarah Hummel, Nelio (local health care worker)
and Patty Cordrey with one of the patients

Dental tools ready to go!

Over night the construction site for the new Merlet Center was transformed into a dental clinic. Only God could have imagined the transformation that took place!

Merlet Center under construction.

Dr Michael Maher, Diane Gonzales, Carleen Woods
and Emily Carter get the clinic set up.

The back drops created by Chapelwood's VBS children and utilized during the HAPI children's program on Saturday became the colorful (stress-reducing) back drops at the dental clinic!

Artisans:
Monday members of the team led a discussion about art and spirituality. The women's co-op opened up about their connection to God as they embroider, sew and paint. The discussion focused on God's words to us and our words to God. As a result of the discussion, the women had a chance to create art not to be sold in the co-op but as an outlet of their God-given creativity. It was beautiful week together with our team and the women.